Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_{target} of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_{target}>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

Subjective and objective responses to caloric stimulation help separate vestibular migraine from other vestibular disorders

BACKGROUND

Nystagmus generated during bithermal caloric test assesses the horizontal vestibulo-ocular-reflex. Any induced symptoms are considered unwanted side effects rather than diagnostic information.

AIM

We hypothesized that nystagmus slow-phase-velocity (SPV) and subjective symptoms during caloric testing would be higher in vestibular migraine (VM) patients compared with peripheral disorders such as Meniere's disease (MD) and non-vestibular dizziness (NVD).

METHODS

Consecutive patients (n = 1373, 60% female) referred for caloric testing were recruited. During caloric irrigations, patients scored their subjective sensations. We assessed objective-measures, subjective vertigo (SVS), subjective nausea (SNS), and test completion status.

RESULTS

Nystagmus SPV for VM, MD (unaffected side), and NVD were 29 ± 12.8, 30 ± 15.4, and 28 ± 14.2 for warm irrigation and 24 ± 8.9, 22 ± 10.0, and 25 ± 12.8 for cold-irrigation. The mean SVS were 2.5 ± 1.1, 1.5 ± 1.33, and 1.5 ± 1.42 for warm irrigation and 2.2 ± 1.1, 1.1 ± 1.19, and 1.1 ± 1.16 for cold-irrigation. Age was significantly correlated with SVS and SNS, (p < 0.001) for both. The SVS and SNS were significantly higher in VM compared with non-VM groups (p < 0.001), and there was no difference in nystagmus SPV. VM patients SVS was significantly different to the SVS of migraineurs in the other diagnostic groups (p < 0.001). Testing was incomplete for 34.4% of VM and 3.2% of MD patients. To separate VM from MD, we computed a composite value representing the caloric data, with 83% sensitivity and 71% specificity. Application of machine learning to these metrics plus patient demographics yielded better separation (96% sensitivity and 85% specificity).

CONCLUSION

Perceptual differences between VM and non-VM patients during caloric stimulation indicate that subjective ratings during caloric testing are meaningful measures. Combining objective and subjective measures could provide optimal separation of VM from MD.

Age- And Gender-Based Predisposition Of MMP-9 -1562 C > T Genotype And Allele Frequencies With Serum MMP-9 Levels As Probable Risk Factors In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the third foremost reason of death worldwide in both men and women of different age groups, and is associated with 17.8 million mortalities annually due to unknown specific genetic background. Hence, we elucidated the age- and gender-based predisposition of MMP-9 -1562 C > T (rs3918242) genotype and allele frequencies along with serum MMP-9 levels as probable risk factors in the development of CAD. This case-control study comprised 150 CAD patients and 150 controls from the South Indian Population. PCR-RFLP was performed to determine different genotypes of MMP-9 gene and serum levels of MMP-9 were measured using ELISA. Age- and gender-based subgroup analysis was performed to assess the probable risk of genotype-based serum MMP-9 levels. CT heterozygote showed 25.4% increased frequency in overall CAD patients compared to controls (OR, 4.48; p < 0.0001); while it was 29.2% in men patients (OR, 6.68; p < 0.0001). The CT heterozygote incurred 25.2% increased risk of CAD in younger patients (p = 0.0033), and 25.6% in older patients (p = 0.001). Allele frequency analysis revealed 20% increased risk of minor T allele in younger patients (p = 0.001), and was 13% higher compared to older patients (p = 0.04). Patients with CC homozygote and CT heterozygote showed significantly increased serum MMP-9 levels. Further, comparative analysis showed significantly increased MMP-9 serum levels in women with CT heterozygote compared to men with the same genotype. Our findings clearly demonstrated that rs3918242 of MMP-9 gene and high serum levels of MMP-9 are associated with CAD in South Indian population specifically in older women.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-022-01073-5.

Outcomes of Children Diagnosed with Unilateral Retinoblastoma: Retrospective Audit

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate treatment outcomes of children diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Retrospective study of children diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma registered at the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai from January 2013 to December 2018 and completed the planned curative treatment protocol.

RESULTS

For the 98 cases that were analyzed, the median age of presentation was 24 months. The majority of patients had the intraocular disease (n = 72), whereas orbital retinoblastoma was in 26 patients. At the time of presentation, on imaging extra scleral spread was observed in 16 patients whereas 18 patients had optic nerve involvement, 11 patients had both extra scleral invasion and optic nerve involvement. We used the International Classification of Retinoblastoma for grouping. Out of 98 patients, 71 patients were in Group E, 21 were in Group D and 4 were in Group B and 2 were in Group C. For Staging of Retinoblastoma, we used International Retinoblastoma Staging System (IRSS) in our study and 14 patients had Stage 0 disease, 52 patients had Stage I disease, 10 patients had Stage II, 21 patients had Stage III A and 1 patient had Stage III B disease. High-risk features on surgical specimen histopathology were optic nerve cut margin positive in 6 patients, optic nerve involvement in 21 patients, extra scleral spread in 3 patients, Choroidal invasion in 38 and Iris involvement in 10 patients. Primary enucleation was offered in 52 patients whereas 26 patients underwent secondary enucleation. Systemic chemotherapy was received by the patient in the neoadjuvant setting in 17 patients as a form of chemo-reduction and 51 patients received systemic chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Intra-arterial chemotherapy was offered to 27 patients as a primary treatment or in conjugation with focal therapy (n = 11). Definitive radiotherapy was offered to only 2 patients and 22 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 62 months, 2patients had local relapse, which was salvaged by focal therapy in one and enucleation in the other. Ten patients who had leptomeningeal relapse had died. The 5-year local control (LC) is 97.6%, event-free survival (EFS) is 88% and overall survival (OS) is 89.5%. Globe was salvaged in only 16 cases. On univariate analysis, we observed a significant association between overall survival and extraocular and intraocular disease (p-value 0.0), Extra scleral spread (p-value 0.0), optic Nerve involvement (imaging), and an optic nerve cut margin positive (p-value 0.045), ICRB Groups (p-value 0.0) and IRSS stage (p- value 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Retinoblastoma is curable if detected early. Extra ocular disease and high-risk features are associated with inferior outcomes and poor globe salvage rates.

Correlation Between Estrogen Receptor α Gene Polymorphism (c454-397T>C) with Serum Estradiol Levels and Known Risk Factors in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains the most common cause of cardiac failure and continuous increasing rate of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association of estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) gene polymorphism c454-397T>C with serum estradiol levels and dyslipidemia in 220 patients with MI in the age range of 35-70 years of both the genders. Genotyping study was performed through PCR-RFLP method using PvuII restriction enzyme. Serum estradiol level was estimated using the Access Sensitive Estradiol assay kit. Men patients had 43.2% increased risk for TC heterozygote in co-dominant (OR 10.66) and over-dominant models (OR 8.30), while women patients had 50% increased risk in co-dominant (OR 16.57) and over-dominant (OR 14.04) models. Variant C allele showed 25% increased risk of MI for in men (OR 2.24; CI 1.49-3.36; p = 0.0001), and 24% increased risk in women (OR 3.35; CI 1.95-5.76; p = 0.0001). Men patients had significantly increased serum estradiol levels compared to controls (25.28 ± 5.80 vs 17.04 ± 2.01; p < 0.0001). Significant difference was observed in estradiol levels between men and women patients (25.28 ± 5.80 vs 17.56 ± 3.32; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, significantly increased estradiol level was found in men patients compared to women for TT (25.46 ± 5.91 vs 16.71 ± 4.46; p < 0.0001), and TC genotypes (25.47 ± 5.91 vs 17.70 ± 2.86; p < 0.0001). Significantly increased HDL levels were observed in men patients with TC (43.10 ± 8.18 vs 38.91 ± 7.84; p < 0.01) and CC (47.16 ± 8.09 vs 38.91 ± 7.84; p < 0.001) genotypes compared to TT genotype. These findings suggest that TC heterozygote plays an important role as a genetic risk factor during MI pathogenesis in the South Indian population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-022-01104-1.

Alcanivorax borkumensis biofilms enhance oil degradation by interfacial tubulation

During the consumption of alkanes, Alcanivorax borkumensis will form a biofilm around an oil droplet, but the role this plays during degradation remains unclear. We identified a shift in biofilm morphology that depends on adaptation to oil consumption: Longer exposure leads to the appearance of dendritic biofilms optimized for oil consumption effected through tubulation of the interface. In situ microfluidic tracking enabled us to correlate tubulation to localized defects in the interfacial cell ordering. We demonstrate control over droplet deformation by using confinement to position defects, inducing dimpling in the droplets. We developed a model that elucidates biofilm morphology, linking tubulation to decreased interfacial tension and increased cell hydrophobicity.

Association of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor (AT1R) Gene Polymorphism with Angiotensin II Serum Levels in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Essential hypertension (EH) is a multifactorial, polygenic condition, and is one of the most important comorbidities that contributes to stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, and renal failure. The continuous increasing rate of morbidity and mortality associated with EH presents an unmet need of population-based studies to explore pathophysiology as well as newer strategies for better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. This study aimed to determine genotype and allele frequencies of A1166C polymorphism of AT1R gene in Indian patients with EH and correlated with serum levels of Angiotensin II. A total of 200 patients with EH and 200 age- and gender-matched control individuals were included in this study from the General Medicine Department Outpatient at Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. Patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg were considered as hypertensive. The findings of this study revealed significantly increased risk of C/A heterozygote and allele C in both men and women. Moreover, both men and women patients with EH showed higher serum levels of Angiotensin II with C/A as well as AA genotypes. These findings indicate a significant association of 1166 C/A polymorphism of the AT1R gene with increased risk of hypertension in Indian population.

Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.

673 Checklists Are A Spinal Surgeon’s Best Friend - A Post-Intervention Closed-Loop Re-Audit of Post-Operative Care in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Introduction

The post-operative care (POC) of paediatric patients undergoing spinal surgery is essential. Initial audits (2015/17) identified shortcomings in POC practice.

Aim

To evaluate improvements in compliance with local AIS guidelines following application of a simple POC checklist. To identify reasons where standards are not met with formulation of an action plan to ensure the AIS POC pathway continues to improve and provide optimum levels of care for our patients.

Method

Data was collected retrospectively for 30 patients over 2 years. Standards assessed were taken from local AIS guidelines consisting of 25 distinct domains (Appendix 1).

Results

Our post-intervention results showed that, 100% compliance within individual AIS guideline domains improved significantly from 12/25 domains (2015), to 21/25 (2019/20). In the domains that did not meet 100% compliance, post-intervention, 2 reached 93.33% compliance and 2 reached 80% (2019/20), a significant improvement upon 2015/17 where several domains were within 20-70% compliance.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that our intervention, a simple checklist, significantly improved the POC of our AIS patients and current practice is of an excellent standard. Standards were still not met in 2020 for a handful of measures. This was due to patients declining planned antiemetic/analgesic medication or rarely, incomplete documentation by health care professionals who were not yet fully familiar with the new checklist. Other centres offering surgical intervention for AIS may benefit from adopting/adapting this POC checklist and a similar audit may prove useful to optimise care for these paediatric patients undergoing significant surgery.

The efficacy, challenges, and facilitators of telemedicine in post-treatment cancer survivorship care: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine services have been increasingly used to facilitate post-treatment cancer survivorship care, including improving access; monitoring health status, health behaviors, and symptom management; enhancing information exchange; and mitigating the costs of care delivery, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. To inform guidance for the use of telemedicine in the post-COVID era, the aim of this overview of systematic reviews (SRs) was to evaluate the efficacy of, and survivor engagement in, telemedicine interventions in the post-treatment survivorship phase, and to consider implementation barriers and facilitators.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched. SRs that examined the use of telemedicine in the post-treatment phase of cancer survivorship, published between January 2010 and April 2021, were included. Efficacy data were synthesized narratively. Implementation barriers and facilitators were synthesized using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine SRs were included. A substantive body of evidence found telemedicine to benefit the management of psychosocial and physical effects, particularly for improving fatigue and cognitive function. There was a lack of evidence on the use of telemedicine in the prevention and surveillance for recurrences and new cancers as well as management of chronic medical conditions. This overview highlights a range of diverse barriers and facilitators at the patient, health service, and system levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the benefits of telemedicine in addressing psychosocial and physical effects, but not in other areas of post-treatment cancer survivorship care. This large review provides practical guidance for use of telemedicine in post-treatment survivorship care.

A study of unprotected left main intervention in the ACS population 2013-2018

Objectives

Our objectives were to evaluate the outcomes of left main percutaneous coronary interventions in Acute Coronary Syndrome population.

Methods

This is a retrospective& observational study. Primary endpoint is a composite of death, stent thrombosis/MI, target lesion revascularization. Secondary endpoints include individual components of the primary events analyzed separately.

Results

Seventy five patients, two year follow – up data was analyzed. The primary event analysis showed that the Elective Double Stent (EDS) group had a higher primary events (36% vs. 14%, p value – 0.008, Hazard ratio – 0.76 (0.51–1.15, 95% CI), in secondary event analysis stent thrombosis (ST)/Myocardial infarction (MI) rates were higher in EDS group (8% Vs 36%, p Value – 0.008, Hazard ratio- 0.63(0.35–1.14, 95%CI), there is no difference in target lesion revascularization (TLR)and death rates in both the groups.

Conclusions

The provisional strategy is better than EDS in treatment of left main bifurcation lesions in the ACS population.

Status of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency with Essential Hypertension

Essential hypertension (EH) is a multifactorial and complex disease with high rate of incidence and associated co-morbidities. Previous studies do not provide unanimous results for the risk of hypertension and association with Fok I genotype frequency and serum vitamin D levels. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the status of Fok I vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism along with vitamin D levels and blood pressure in patients with EH. Four hundred (200 controls and 200 cases of essential hypertension) participants from general Indian population were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected for genotyping Fok I-VDR gene polymorphism using PCR–RFLP method whereas 25-OH vitamin D levels in serum were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Significantly reduced 25-OH vitamin D levels were observed in patients with EH (24.04 ± 8.62 vs 50.46 ± 15.46) compared to control subjects (p = 0.0001). Homozygous recessive genotype ‘ff’ frequency was increased by 8.06 fold (CI: 3.71–17.47, p = 0.0001) in patients with EH compared to dominant ‘FF’ genotype frequency. In conclusion, recessive ‘ff’ genotype frequency correlates with reduced serum vitamin D levels and results in significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressures leading to predisposition of EH.

Accumulation of Brain Hypointense Foci on Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Childhood Ataxia Telangiectasia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

SWI hypointense cerebral lesions have been reported in adults with the inherited cerebellar neurodegenerative disorder ataxia telangiectasia. This study aims to establish the prevalence, age-dependency, and spatial distribution of these lesions in children and young people with ataxia telangiectasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants with classic ataxia telangiectasia and matched controls underwent SWI acquisition at 3T at 1 or 2 time points. SWI hypointense lesions were manually labeled according to the Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale. Differences in prevalence of lesion number between groups with ataxia telangiectasia and without ataxia telangiectasia were tested with the Fisher exact test, and differences in age between participants with ataxia telangiectasia with and without lesions were tested using independent samples Mann-Whitney U test. The relationship between age and lesion number was modeled as an exponential function.

RESULTS

Analyzable SWI datasets from 17 participants with ataxia telangiectasia (with median age at first scan of 12.4 years; range, 4.6-20.2 years; 8 [47%] were female) and 22 matched healthy controls showed prevalence of SWI hypointense lesions in 41% of participants with ataxia telangiectasia and 0% in controls (P = .001, Fisher exact test). Lesions were exclusively supratentorial and predominantly lobar. Participants with ataxia telangiectasia with SWI hypointense lesions were older than those without (median age 5.2 years versus 9.3 years, U = 10.5, P = .014). An exponential curve described the relationship between age and lesion number (R ² = 0.67).

CONCLUSIONS

SWI hypointense lesions are common in children and young people with ataxia telangiectasia, accumulating from 12 years of age onward. In contrast to cerebellar-dominant neurodegeneration in ataxia telangiectasia, SWI hypointense lesions were exclusively supratentorial. Further investigation is needed to establish the clinical relevance of these imaging-detected lesions.

769 Analysing the Change – Outcomes and Benefits of Clinic-Based Removal of Renal Transplant Stents Using A Disposable Cystoscope

Introduction

Literature is chock-full of data regarding the “when” of ureteric stent removal after renal transplantation. We have attempted to address the “who”, “where” and “how” components.

Method

The Isiris disposable scope was used to remove renal allograft stents from 383 patients in the Transplant Clinic from June 2018 to April 2020. An advanced nurse practitioner was trained in the procedure. The learning curve, incidence of complications, benefits and cost implications were studied, and compared with the cohort having stent removal with a traditional flexible cystoscope in theatres.

Results

There were 14 failures necessitating theatre removal. The transplant-to-stent-removal interval was significantly lower in the clinic cohort with a mean of 38.80 days (95%CI 37.26–40.34) to 46.55 days in theatres (95%CI 43.47–49.62). 11 patients had urgent bedside stent removal. The service was delivered independently by the nurse for 5.3% of the patients in June 2018 and progressed to over 80% by April 2019. Estimated net gain was £919/patient.

Conclusions

Moving transplant ureteric stent removals from a resource intensive all-day process in theatres to a one-stop event in the clinic is a safe and economical model that can streamline flow in patient pathway and inculcate new skills in other members of the multidisciplinary team.

BCL11B-related disorder in two canadian children: Expanding the clinical phenotype

The product of the BCL11B (B-Cell Leukemia 11) gene is a bi-functional transcriptional regulator that can act as either a repressor or an activator. It plays an important role in the development of the nervous, immune, and cutaneous systems, and is also involved in dental and craniofacial development. BCL11B-Related Disorder (BCL11BRD) is a novel rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with mutations in BCL11B. A total of 17 patients have been described in the literature thus far. The main symptoms of BCL11BRD include global developmental delay, speech impairment, dental anomalies, feeding difficulties, refractive errors, dysmorphic features, and immunological abnormalities. In this report, we describe two Canadian girls, with pathogenic de novo BCL11B variants, both diagnosed via exome sequencing. One of the patients had global developmental delay, dental anomalies, dysmorphic features, dyskinesia and hypotonia; the latter two symptoms have not been previously reported in patients with BCL11BRD. She also had dysgenesis of corpus callosum and dilatation of the frontal horns of lateral ventricles, a brain anomaly that has been previously reported in only one other patient. The second patient had developmental delay, dysmorphic features, spasticity in lower limbs and dental anomalies. Our report contributes to the knowledge of the BCL11BRD, expands the clinical phenotype, and can also aid with genetic counseling of newly identified patients.

Machine Learning Techniques for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the elderly population. Efficient automated techniques are needed for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Many novel approaches are proposed by researchers for classification of Alzheimer’s disease. However, to develop more efficient learning techniques, better understanding of the work done on Alzheimer’s is needed. Here, we provide a review on 165 papers from 2005 to 2019, using various feature extraction and machine learning techniques. The machine learning techniques are surveyed under three main categories: support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and deep learning (DL) and ensemble methods. We present a detailed review on these three approaches for Alzheimer’s with possible future directions.

Data on application of water quality index method for appraisal of water quality in around cement industrial corridor, Yerraguntla Mandal, Y.S.R District, A.P South India

The present paper aims at determining the status and trends of groundwater quality by applying water quality index method from 22 villages around Cement industries, Yerraguntla Mandal, Y.S.R District, A. P South India. Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated from fourteen physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, Total hardness, Total alkalinity, Sodium, potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, chloride, Bromide, nitrate, sulphate and fluoride. The computed WQI values range from 123 to 1121 and water quality varies from poor water to water unsuitable for drinking. Most of the groundwater from this place is not suitable for drinking.

Inventory data on the sinkhole occurrences from Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin, India

This data article provides the inventory data on sinkhole occurrences for the first time from Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin, India. Unexpected ground subsidence incidents are taking place with ground breaking sounds and forming in the Cuddapah Basin since 2007 and their frequency increasing from 2015 to 2017 (15 sinkholes over night in and around Buggavanka River). Such incidents are creating panic situations in the general public of this area which was not experienced in this region ever before. It is interesting to note that majority of sinkholes are forming subsequent to heavy rains and sudden recharge, especially in and around Buggavanka and Chitravati River beds. Hence, there is a strong need for the data on the sinkhole occurrences for detailed field investigations in future. Since, sinkhole inventory is a vital and pioneering step in sinkhole hazard analysis, the consistency of sinkhole hazard and vulnerability maps and the efficiency of the mitigation measures chiefly rely on the accuracy, completeness, and fidelity of the sinkhole inventories. Geospatial technologies played a major role in this inventory in terms of data collection, editing and analysis of various thematic maps.

Bluetongue virus vaccine: conventional to modern approach

Bluetongue (BT) is an economically important, infectious and non-contagious disease of ruminant animals. BT disease is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) of the genus Orbivirus (the family Reoviridae). BTV is transmitted by certain species of biting midges of the genus Culicoides. Although originally BT was restricted to African continent, now it is present in all the continents except Antarctica. Conventional BT vaccines such as live attenuated and inactivated vaccines showed different degree of success in BT control. However, conventional vaccines have certain disadvantages of reversion to virulent strain and frequent booster dose requirement. Several BT outbreaks in India and the rest of the world open a new insight for development of better vaccines. The development in molecular biology techniques allowed the development and validation of several modern vaccines such as subunit vaccine, recombinant vector vaccine, disabled infections single cycle (DISC) vaccine, differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) approach etc. Most of these vaccines are considered as safer, having better protective immune response and provided cross-protective immunization against more than one serotype. Keywords: bluetongue virus; live vaccine; inactivated vaccine; DISC; recombinant vaccine.

Data on water quality index development for groundwater quality assessment from Obulavaripalli Mandal, YSR district, A.P India

Groundwater is a vital resource for most developmental activities. Demand for groundwater is increasing due to paucity of surface water and recurrent failures of monsoons. Increasing demand for groundwater causes water level to decline and water quality to deteriorate. This data article is aimed to investigate the quality of drinking water of Obulavaripalli Mandal YSR district based on water quality Index (WQI). To evaluate WQI in the study area, twenty groundwater samples were collected and different physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, EC, TDS, TH, total alkalinity (TA), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), sulphate (SO₄²⁻) and fluoride (F^ˉ) were analyzed. WQI data for groundwater samples indicated that 30% of the samples fall under excellent rating, 40% of the samples fall under good category and another 30% of the groundwater is under poor category. Overall groundwater quality is not suitable for drinking purpose.

P16 Relation of timing of surgery to outcome from traumatic acute subdural haematoma

Objectives

Acute subdural haemorrhage (ASDH) is a neurosurgical emergency with high mortality and morbidity rates. Time to surgical intervention is implicated as an important factor affecting patient outcomes, however, more recent studies do not support this. We aimed to determine the correlation between time interval to surgery and outcome of patients with traumatic ASDH.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive ASDH patients who underwent haematoma evacuation in the period between 2010 and 2016 at this tertiary neurosurgical centre. 49 patients were included for the analysis. Patient data was extracted from theatre records, patient notes and electronic records.

Results

The median time interval from injury to surgery was 403 min (6 hours 43 min) with road traffic accident being the commonest mechanism of injury. 20 of 49 (34.7%) patients underwent evacuation within five hours from time of injury. Of these, 12 (41.4%) had good recovery (GOS 5), versus 15 (51.7%) amongst the 29 patients who underwent operation after five hours. Spearman rank correlation test (rs=0.07375) showed no statistically significant correlation between time interval to surgery and patient outcomes as measured by GOS. The overall mortality rate of evacuated patients at JCUH was 8.16% and the majority had good functional status, 55.1% with GOS 5.

Conclusions

Longer time interval of more than four hours from injury to surgical intervention was not associated with higher mortality rate, or worse functional outcome.

P118 A novel technique for repair of the vertebral artery during cranial surgery

Objectives

To demonstrate a novel/alternative technique for repair of the vertebral artery intraoperatively.

Design

Left-sided retromastoid craniotomy in one patient.

Subjects

A 61-year-old male patient with meningioma in the foramen magnum encasing the vertebral artery on the left side.

Methods

Standard retrosigmoid craniotomy performed with preservation of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. The dura was opened and the cerebellum was retracted with CSF release. The tumour was debulked gradually. The attempt to peel the tumour from the vertebral artery resulted in arterial bleeding. The hole in the artery was sealed using an N-hydroxysuccinimide functionalised polyethylene glycol-coated collagen patch (Hemopatch®, Baxter Healthcare Ltd) as an onlay, applying pressure for 2 minutes. Another patch was applied for further support and the artery checked for haemostasis. The dura was closed with 3–0 vicryl and Hemopatch® onlay after further tumour debulking.

Results

Haemostasis of the vertebral artery was achieved at 140 mmHg SBP and a catheter angiogram found no dissection or false lumen. The patient did not suffer postoperative haemorrhage and after three months of inpatient rehabilitation was discharged with significantly improved cranial nerve function. There was no CSF leak.

Conclusions

Haemostasis was successfully achieved in the vertebral artery with this novel technique. It can prove to be important in such scenarios where direct cross-clamping and arterial repair is technically challenging and can lead to brainstem ischemia.

Parathyroid, Thyroid and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Anatomy in an Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Introduction

The parathyroid gland was first identified in the Indian rhinoceros in 1849 by Sir Richard Owen. We performed a necropsy in an Indian rhinoceros, recapitulating Owen’s dissection and display what appear to be the initial identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in situ and the anatomy and histology of the largest rhinoceros parathyroid glands yet identified.

Materials and methods

Patrick T. Rhino, a 41-year-old Indian rhinoceros was born in 1974. His early years were unremarkable. In 2006, he was donated to White Oak Conservation in Yulee, Florida, where he bred and sustained minor injuries. In his geriatric years, he developed a cataract and degenerative joint disease (DJD). At age 41, he developed progressive ataxia and lameness and was euthanized to minimize suffering when he was unable to stand. ROS, FH, SH and medication history were unremarkable. Physical exam was age and species appropriate. Pre-mortem serum demonstrated: creat 1.8 mg/dL (0.8–2.1), calcium 10.6 mg/dL (9.7–13.1), phos 3.8 mg/dL (2.5–6.7), alk phos 69 U/L (26–158) and intact PTH 44.1 pg/mL (rhinoceros reference range: unknown). Necropsy revealed intervertebral DJD with thoracic spondylosis, which combined with osteoporosis, resulted in thoracic myelopathy and ataxia. The neck block was sent in formalin to the Yale University School of Medicine.

Results

Detailed dissection was performed under loupe magnification. Presumed structures were photographed in situ and biopsied. The thyroid was identified deep to the strap muscles, received its blood supply from the inferior and superior thyroid arteries and was blue in color. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve, identified and photographed in situ for the first time in the rhinoceros, was deep to the inferior thyroid artery and was traced throughout its cervical course. Single parathyroid glands identified on the lateral thyroid lobes received their blood supply from the inferior thyroid arteries and were confirmed histologically. They appear to be the largest parathyroids yet identified in the rhinoceros with estimated weights of 6,280 and 11,000 mg, respectively. Although the etiology of the parathyroid gland enlargement is unknown, the specimen has been preserved recapitulating the dissection performed by Sir Richard Owen.

Conclusion

The parathyroids, thyroid and recurrent laryngeal nerve were identified in an Indian rhinoceros. This appears to be the first display of the rhinoceros recurrent laryngeal nerve in situ, and the parathyroid glands are the largest yet identified in the rhinoceros.

Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 3 infection in India

Until 2014, pegylated interferon plus ribavirin was the recommended standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in India. This open-label phase 3b study, conducted across 14 sites in India between 31 March 2014 and 30 November 2015, evaluated the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin therapy among treatment-naïve patients with chronic genotype 1 or 3 HCV infection. A total of 117 patients with genotype 1 or 3 HCV infection were randomized 1:1 to receive sofosbuvir 400 mg and weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg) daily for 16 or 24 weeks. Among those with genotype 1 infection, the primary efficacy endpoint of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) was reported in 90% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 73-98) and 96% (95% CI, 82-100) of patients following 16 and 24 weeks of treatment, respectively. For patients with genotype 3 infection, SVR12 rates were 100% (95% CI, 88-100) and 93% (95% CI, 78-99) after 16 and 24 weeks of therapy, respectively. Adverse events, most of which were mild or moderate in severity, occurred in 69% and 57% of patients receiving 16 and 24 weeks of treatment, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were asthenia, headache and cough. Only one patient in the 24-week group discontinued treatment with sofosbuvir during this study. Overall, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin therapy achieved SVR12 rates ≥90% and was well tolerated among treatment-naïve patients with chronic genotype 1 or 3 HCV infection in India.

Bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy in ischaemic stroke: a systematic review

Bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM-MNC) therapy has emerged as a potential therapy for the treatment of stroke. We performed a systematic review of published studies using BM-MNC therapy in patients with ischaemic stroke (IS). Literature was searched using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Trip Database, Cochrane library and clinicaltrial.gov to identify studies on BM-MNC therapy in IS till June, 2016. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. STATA version 13 was used for carrying out meta-analysis. We included non-randomized open-label, single-arm and non-randomized comparative studies or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) if BM-MNCs were used to treat patients with IS in any phase after the index stroke. One randomized trial, two non-randomized comparative trials and four single-arm open-label trials (total seven studies) involving 227 subjects (137 patients and 90 controls) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled proportion for favourable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) in six studies involving 122 subjects was 29% (95% CI 0.16-0.43) who were exposed to BM-MNCs and pooled proportion for favourable clinical outcome of 69 subjects (taken from two trials) who did not receive BM-MNCs was 20% (95% CI 0.12-0.32). The pooled difference in the safety outcomes was not significant between both the groups. Our systematic review suggests that BM-MNC therapy is safe up to 1 year post-intervention and is feasible; however, its efficacy in the case of IS patients is debatable. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to provide more information on the efficacy of BM-MNC transplantation in patients with IS.

Nutritional status in survivors of childhood cancer: Experience from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

BACKGROUND

Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for several cardiometabolic complications. Obesity/overweight and metabolic syndrome have been widely reported in Western literature, but data from India are lacking.

AIMS

To perform an objective assessment of nutritional status in a cohort of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) and to find risk factors for extremes in nutritional status.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study was a retrospective chart review of CCSs who attended the late effects clinic of a referral pediatric oncology center over the period of 1 year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An objective assessment of nutritional status was done, and results were analyzed in two groups: Adult survivors (present age <18 years) and child and adolescent survivors (CASs) (<18 years). The data were then analyzed for possible risk factors.

RESULTS

Six hundred and forty-eight survivors were included in the study; of these, 471 were <18 years at follow-up, and 177 were 18 years or older. The prevalence of obesity, overweight, normal, and undernutrition was 2.6%, 10.8%, 62.7%, and 28.8% (CASs) and 0%, 8.5%, 62.7%, and 28.8% (adult survivors), respectively. Factors predictive of overweight/obesity were an initial diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or brain tumor and follow-up duration of >20 years or current age >30 years in adult survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of obesity/overweight is lower in our cohort when compared to Western literature. It remains to be clarified whether this reflects the underlying undernutrition in our country, or whether our cohort of survivors is indeed distinct from their Western counterparts. Comparison with age/sex-matched normal controls and baseline parameters would yield more meaningful results.

Epidemiology of blood stream infections in pediatric patients at a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre

BACKGROUND

Blood stream infections (BSI) are among the most common causes of preventable deaths in children with cancer in a developing country. Knowledge of its etiology as well as antibiotic sensitivity is essential not only for planning antimicrobial policy, but also the larger infection prevention and control measures.

AIMS

To describe the etiology and sensitivity of BSI in the pediatric oncology unit at a tertiary cancer center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All the samples representative of BSI sent from pediatric oncology unit during the period of January to December, 2013 were included in the study, and analyzed for microbiological spectrum with their antibiotic sensitivity.

RESULTS

A total of 4198 samples were representative of BSI. The overall cultures positivity rate was 6.97% with higher positivity rate (10.28%) from central lines. Of the positive cultures, 208 (70.9%) were Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), 71 (24.2%) were Gram-positive organisms, and 14 (4.7%) were Candida species. Lactose fermenting Enterobacteriaceae i.e., Escherichia coli (28.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.1%), and Enterobacter (4.8%) accounted for 55.3% of all GNB. Pseudomonas accounted for 53 (25.5%) and Acinetobacter 19 (9.1%) of GNB. Among Gram-positive isolates, staphylococci were the most frequent (47.8%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae 17 (23.9%), beta-hemolytic streptococci 11 (15.5%), and enterococci 9 (12.68%). Of GNB, 45.7% were pan-sensitive, 24% extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, 27% were resistant to carbapenems, and 3.4% resistant to colistin. Pseudomonas was most sensitive, and Klebsiella was least sensitive of GNB. Of the staphylococcal isolates, 41.67% were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 10% of Coagulase Negative Stapylococci (CONS) were methicillin.

CONCLUSION

A high degree of ESBL producers and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is concerning; with emerging resistance to colistin, raising the fear of a return to the preantibiotic era. An urgent intervention including creating awareness and establishment of robust infection control and antibiotic stewardship program is the most important need of the hour.

Alarming prevalence of community-acquired multidrug-resistant organisms colonization in children with cancer and implications for therapy: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Infection or colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Knowledge of MDRO colonization may help in planning empirical antibiotic approach in neutropenic patients, which is known to improve patient outcomes. While routine cultures are positive and may help direct antibiotic therapy in only up to 15% neutropenic patients, surveillance cultures are positive in more than 90% of cancer patients.

AIMS

To assess the rate of MDRO carrier status at presentation and rate of conversion to MDRO during the treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rectal swabs of all the outpatients presenting to pediatric oncology unit were sent within 7 days from date of registration from January 2014 to December 2014. Furthermore, stool cultures/rectal swabs of all patients who got directly admitted to the pediatric ward at presentation were sent within 24 h. Repeat rectal swabs were sent again for patients from this cohort when they got readmitted to the ward at least 15 days after last discharge or when clinically indicated.

RESULTS

Baseline surveillance rectal swabs were sent for 618 patients, which included 528 children with hematological malignancies and 90 children with solid tumors. Forty-five (7.3%) showed no growth. Of the remaining 573, 197 (34.4%) patients were colonized by two organisms and 30 (5.2%) by three organisms. Three hundred and thirty-four (58.4%) showed extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae, of which 165 (49.5%) were ESBL sensitive to beta-lactam with beta-lactamase inhibitors combinations and 169 (50.5%) were resistant to combinations. One hundred and sixteen (20.2%) were carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and 65 (11.4%) had vancomycin-resistant enterococci in baseline cultures. Only 63 (21%) patients were colonized by a sensitive organism in their baseline surveillance cultures. Morbidity (Intensive Care Unit stay) and mortality was higher in patients colonized by MDR organisms. There was a significant correlation between the place of residence and CRE colonization status with the highest rate (60%) of CRE colonization observed in children from East India. The repeat cultures showed the further conversion of sensitive isolates to MDRO in 80% of these children, of which 40% each converted from non-ESBL and non-CRE to ESBL and CRE, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study illustrating the alarming high prevalence of community-acquired MDRO colonization, especially CRE, which has grave implications for therapy for children with cancer potentially compromising delivery of aggressive chemotherapy and affecting outcomes. This incidence further increases during the course of treatment. Knowing the baseline colonization also guides us for the planning of chemotherapy as well as antibiotic approach and infection control strategies. Local antibiotics stewardship including education of the healthcare workers as well as national level interventions to prevent antibiotic misuse in the community is critical to minimize this problem.

The safety of autologous and metabolically fit bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in medically refractory Crohn's disease - a phase 1 trial with three doses

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stromal cells ability to reset immune functionalities may be useful in Crohn's disease.

AIM

To perform a first-in-human phase 1 safety clinical trial of metabolically fit autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in 12 subjects with Crohn's disease utilising three doses.

METHODS

Autologous mesenchymal stromal cells were derived from marrow aspirate and propagated for 2-3 weeks with fibrinogen depleted human platelet lysate and subsequently administered to subjects without interval cryobanking. Twelve subjects received a single mesenchymal stromal cell intravenous infusion of 2, 5 or 10 million cells/kg BW(n = 4/group). Infused mesenchymal stromal cells were analysed for cell surface marker expression, IDO(indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) upregulation by IFNγ stimulation, and inhibition of third party peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation in vitro. The primary end point measured was safety and tolerability; clinical response was assessed as a secondary endpoint.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated the mesenchymal stromal cell infusion well and no dose limiting toxicity was seen. Seven patients had serious adverse events of which five were hospitalisations for Crohn's disease flare. Two of these serious adverse events were possibly related to the mesenchymal stromal cells infusion. Five subjects showed clinical response 2 weeks after the infusion. Mesenchymal stromal cell phenotype, cytokine responsiveness, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation blockade were not different among the patients.

CONCLUSION

Single infusion of fresh autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells propagated ex vivo using human platelet lysate-supplemented media was safe and feasible at intravenous doses of up to 10 million cells/kg BW in patients with Crohn's disease.

Local therapy in non-metastatic primary Ewing sarcoma of the mandible and maxilla in children

Ewing sarcoma (ES) of the jaw bones comprises a small fraction of ES at all sites. Due to their rarity, a specific policy for local treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local therapy for ES and recommend measures to individualize treatment options. Patients with primary non-metastatic ES of the jaw bones treated between August 2005 and February 2015 were analyzed. All patients received primary induction chemotherapy, following which lesions amenable to resection based on specific radiological criteria were resected; those with unresectable lesions were offered definitive radiotherapy. The maxilla was the primary site in 13 patients and the mandible in eight. The median age of patients was 11.6 years (range 5-17 years). Overall, surgery was performed in 17 patients and definitive radiotherapy was used in four patients. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to 12 patients and was avoided in five patients with 100% tumour necrosis. The 3-year overall survival, event-free survival, and local control were 68.1%, 63.6%, and 80.2%, respectively. Mandible primary and a histological response to chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors. The stratification of patients based on radiological criteria aids in selecting local therapy. In eligible patients, surgery with contemporary reconstruction results in optimal oncological and functional outcomes. Surgery also has the added advantage of identifying patients who may not need radiotherapy.

Abstract P4-09-22: Quantitative immuno-fluorescent evaluation of Her2 expression levels in a prospectively collected cohort of breast cancer cases: Comparison to conventional IHC scoring and FISH

Background: According to the 2013 guidelines breast cancers are defined as Her2 positive if there is evidence of protein expression in at least 10% of tumor cells by IHC and/or gene amplification by FISH. Nevertheless, there are still IHC 2+ and FISH equivocal breast cancers resulting in repeat testing. It is also known that not all Her2 positive breast cancers respond to Trastuzumab, while up to 8% of Her2 "negative" classified patients benefit from Her2 targeting regimens. Toward the goal of generating a more accurate test, we report in situ quantification of Her2 protein levels on a prospectively collected cohort of breast cancers and comparison to conventional IHC and FISH evaluation.

Materials and Methods: A prospectively designed study was initiated at Yale University, comparing quantitative, in situ measurement of Her2 protein levels with conventional IHC and FISH evaluation. All breast cancer specimens were analyzed by IHC and FISH in our routine clinical laboratory, read and signed out by the breast pathologists. Serial sections were then stained and quantified for Her2 expression levels using the AQUA method of quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF). Data for all assays were obtained on 120 samples over a period of 6 months. Staining was performed using the DAKO Herceptest and the Epitomics EP3 Her2 antibody for IHC, the DAKO rabbit polyclonal antibody for QIF. The 30 highest cases were then retested for QIF and IHC using the Biocare c-erbB-2 [CB11] antibody. Each staining run included an index tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 80 cases, cell lines and normal tissue for quality control, assay reproducibility and threshold definition of AQUA scores correlated to HER2 over expression and amplification.

Results: Out of 120 specimens analyzed for HER2, 13 were diagnosed as IHC 2+/3+, FISH amplified, 1 case had an equivocal score, 14 cases were IHC 2+/non amplified, 2 cases IHC 1+/FISH amplified and 89 specimens IHC 0/1+ non amplified. The continuous AQUA scores for Her2 expression of the samples significantly correlate with traditional clinical Her2 scoring. However, 5 IHC 0/1+, non amplified cases revealed high AQUA scores in the range of HER2 overexpression/amplification. Repeat testing of these by both QIF and IHC showed reproducibility of the results. AQUA scores of one IHC 3+/amplified sample were lower than the threshold of HER2 overexpression/amplification.

Conclusions: QIF measurement of HER2 protein levels in a prospectively collected cohort of 120 breast cancer specimens reveals significant association between continuous HER2 protein levels and the ordinal conventional scoring system. However, five discordant cases that were above the threshold for HER2 protein by QIF, were classified as negative by conventional methods. Given the accuracy and reproducibility of the QIF test, it raises the possibility that some of these patients might benefit from HER2 targeted therapy. In summary, while continuous scoring of HER2 protein correlates well with conventional methods, it identifies a subset of patients that are discordant with current methods. Further comparative studies in a patient cohort with response to targeted therapy need to be evaluated.

Citation Format: Neumeister VM, Yan SS, McGuire JA, Carvajal DE, Prasad ML, Rimm DL. Quantitative immuno-fluorescent evaluation of Her2 expression levels in a prospectively collected cohort of breast cancer cases: Comparison to conventional IHC scoring and FISH. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-22.

Structural, thermal and optical properties of TeO2-ZnO-CdO-BaO glasses doped with VO(2+)

The glasses with composition 64TeO2-15ZnO-(20-x)CdO-xBaO-1V2O5 (0⩽x⩽20 mol%) were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to confirm the amorphous nature of the glasses. The optical absorption studies revealed that the cut-off wavelength (λα) decreases while optical band gap energy (Eopt) and Urbach energy (ΔE) values increase with an increase of BaO content. Refractive index (n) evaluated from Eopt was found to decrease with an increase of BaO content. The physical parameters such as density (ρ), molar volume (Vm), oxygen packing density (OPD), optical basicity (Λ), molar refraction (Rm), and metallization criterion (M) evaluated and discussed. FTIR and Raman spectroscopic studies showed that the glass network consists of TeO4, TeO3+1/TeO3 and ZnO4 units as basic structural units. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of glass sample, onset crystallization temperature (To) and thermal stability ΔT were determined from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of vanadium glasses the spin Hamiltonian parameters and dipolar hyperfine coupling parameters of VO(2+) ions were calculated. It was found that V(4+) ions in these glasses exist as VO(2+) in octahedral coordination with a tetragonal distortion and have C4V symmetry with ground state dxy. Tetragonality (Δg∥/Δg⊥) of vanadium ion sites exhibited non-linear variation with BaO content.

Polymer electrolyte membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone and functionalized layered silicate for direct methanol fuel cell applications

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) of sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf) and sulfonated montmorillonite (SMMT) have been developed. Sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) has been sulfonated with 4-sulfophthalic acid and incorporated into the SPSf matrix for further enhancement of proton conductivity. Sulfonation of NaMMT has been confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD patterns proved that the SMMT layers were completely exfoliated within the SPSf matrix. The performances of the PEM in terms of their liquid uptake, oxidative stability, and proton conductivity were investigated. The morphological characterizations have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. SPSf/SMMT membrane with 5 wt% of SMMT loading showed adequate thermal stability and an improved proton conductivity. The reduction in methanol permeability from 8.9 ×10−5 cm2 s−1 to 2.4 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 has been observed when SMMT loading content increased from 1 wt% to 5 wt%. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance showed a power density value of 49 mW cm−2for SPSf/SMMT membrane, indicating its candidature for DMFC applications.